Musician

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Equally sought after as performer, composer and pedagogue, guitarist Colin Thurmond has performed for the premier of a Nicholas Cage film, classical music with members of the Berlin Philharmonic, electronic music collaborations with The WIG and jazz with electric six-string violinists.

In 2011 the Boulder Symphony Orchestra commissioned him for a new orchestral work, resulting in the Concierto de Pampas, a duo concerto for guitar and percussion, with Mr. Thurmond himself as guitarist. Of the premier, the Boulder Examiner, wrote "Mr. Thurmond has got to be Superman. the amazing strength of his talent...yes, he is Clark Kent/Superman, absolutely. It was a fabulous piece and very au courant. I could grow to love modern composing like this."

Thurmond is currently pursuing his doctorate at the New England Conservatory with Eliot Fisk, where he holds the Surdna Foundation Scholarship. Thurmond earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Denver with Ricardo Iznaola and Jonathan Leathwood, graduating Magna Cum Laude and being awarded the 2007 Senior Recital of Distinction and the Elective Recital of Distinction in the same year. He was also prizewinner in the Lamont Concerto Competition in 2007 and grand prizewinner of the 2009 Lamont Chamber Music Competition. He earned his Masters of Music in March of 2010 after being awarded the Graduate Recital of Distinction.

Thurmond's concert engagements have carried him across the United States, Canada and Europe. As a collaborator and chamber musician, he performed with Daniel and Maria Stabrawa, concertmaster and violinist of the Berlin Philharmonic, electric six-string violinist Tracy Silverman, and American flamenco guitar virtuoso, Miguel Antonio. Mr. Thurmond maintains a passionate interest in chamber music, performing with mezzo-soprano, Molly Kittle in the voice and guitar duo, Eisteddfod. His works have been performed by Denvers premier contemporary music ensemble, The Playground, where he has been a frequent performer.

Mr. Thurmond has been Adjunct Professor of Music Theory at the University of Denver, Guitar Instructor at Arapahoe Community College and Musicology Instructor at the Academy of Lifelong Learning. In 2010, Thurmond founded and developed the curriculum for Boston Guitar Kids, a studio specializing in expert youth guitar training.